Guests: Blue Jays starter Bowden Francis, hitting coach David Popkins, Vancouver Canadians 1B Peyton Williams

Spring training is over and the Blue Jays are back home in Toronto, coming off their Grapefruit League title, getting set to open their season on March 27 against the Baltimore Orioles. We go over the season-opening 26-man roster for you, which includes a few surprises, then hear from last year’s breakout star, Bowden Francis, who has to wait until March 31 to make his first start of the season.

The Jays revamped their hitting department over the winter, and you’ll meet new hitting coach David Popkins, who has the players buying what he’s selling, at least so far. Also, they call him The Iowa Meat Truck – we chat with up-and-coming young slugger Peyton William

PORTS Blue Jays Predicted To Land $14 Million Star Infielder In Blockbuster Trade

The Toronto Blue Jays are in quite a predicament this season. Their superstar first baseman, Vladimir Guerrero Jr., is entering the last year of his contract. The Blue Jays need to either add talent around Guerrero to compete this season or trade him away. Many expect the Blue Jays to add the talent around him, but it’s unclear who Toronto could be looking to land.

FanSided’s Jacob Mountz recently proposed a hypothetical trade that would send San Diego Padres infielder Luis Arráez to the Blue Jays in a three player deal. Here’s the full deal pitched by Mountz that would send Arráez to Toronto: Toronto Blue Jays receive: INF Luis Arráez San Diego Padres receive:

RHP Jake Bloss (No. 6 prospect) OF/3B Charles McAdoo (No. 14 prospect) “The San Diego Padres will be vying for a postseason spot this year as they did in 2024, something worth mentioning since this means they’ll lean towards keeping Arraez,” Mountz wrote. ”

Padres president AJ Preller hasn’t fully dismissed the idea of trading Arraez, but only insists he is highly valued. But even though Arraez was an important part of last season’s success, there are two drawbacks that might tip the scales in favor of trading him for the right package.

“For one, Arraez is a poor defender. The Padres plan to move him over to first base as it requires less agility than his previous spot at second. The second problem, which is the root of all his recent trade rumors, is his contract. Arraez will be a free agent after this season.”

This is the kind of trade the Blue Jays could look to make early in the year. If they make the deal early enough, they

could flip Arráez to another contender at the trade deadline if they fall out of playoff contention. The Padres could make this deal because it doesn’t set them back much at all. They would bring in two talented prospects who both have the ability to crack into the big leagues this season.